With a mere 40 albums already under his belt, King Creosote truly struck gold with 2011’s Jon Hopkins collaboration Diamond Mine and 2014’s From Scotland With Love, two records that perfectly encapsulated the charms of his wistful folk-pop. Astronaut Meets Appleman doesn’t quite continue that run of form. It begins and ends beautifully – slow-burning opener You Just Want shivers with Wicker Man-ish unease, the lilting sadness of closer Rules of Engagement is nicely enhanced with harp and strings – but a handful of songs, the poppy Love Life in particular, break the mood and the emotional connection. Still, even where the songs feel a little ragged, there’s wit and personality in abundance.
